Hexagon Squares

These are going to make a really fun afghan soon!  I chose a yarn that has a really lightweight texture because I wanted this to be a really airy blanket.  When my "squares" are finished and assembled, I'll post another picture!

Materials:

G Hook

Bernat Softee yarn in Soft Peach, Antique White, Mint, and Pale Blue - Amounts will vary depending on how many squares you make/size of blanket you want.

Notes: I alternated the 3 middle colors for each square for the sake of interest, but kept the borders white and plan to assemble them all with white.  The color options are up to you, so I didn't put in the names of the colors, but will just refer to the colors as Color 1, 2, 3 and 4.  You get to choose what order to put them in.  ;)  The pattern is worked from the center out, if that helps with your choices.  I would recommend tying a small knot at the end of each round to help the yarn stay in place, as I am always afraid that changing yarns a lot will make a blanket fall apart!

Begin with Color 1:

Ch 4.  Join to form a ring.

R1: Ch 3 (counts as dc).  11 dc in center of ring.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3. (12 st)

Drop Color 1, join Color 2:

R2: Ch 3 (counts as dc).  1 dc in same st.  2 dc in each st around.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  (24 st)

Drop Color 2, join Color 3:

R3: Insert hook between posts of next 2 st's.  Ch 3 (counts as dc).  2 dc in same st.  Ch 1.  Skip next 2 posts.  *3 dc in next sp.  Ch 1*  Repeat to end of round.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  

Drop color 3, Join Color 4 (I used white for these rounds on each square):

R4: Join between 2 clusters of 3dc from previous round.  Ch 4.  Skip 3dc cluster.  *sc in sp between clusters.  Ch 3*  Repeat around.  Join with sl st in 2nd ch of ch 4.

R5: Insert hook in sp under ch's from R4.  Sl st.  Ch 3.  2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp.  3 dc in next sp.  *3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next sp.  3 dc in next sp*  Repeat to end of round.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  Tie off and hide ends. 

Back To School: Apple Covers for Lunchboxes

These are great for lunchboxes and backpacks!  I have homeschooled my kids for about 4 years now, but I am sending them to a charter school this year.  Uniforms and sack lunches!  Yay!  (Haha)  Since kids tend to be rough with their backpacks, they often end up with bruised fruit at lunch.  This cuts down on that significantly!  Plus, it's cute!  ;)  I made these up in about 15 minutes - and that includes writing the pattern and getting my daughter a drink.  SUPER fast!

Materials:

Cotton Yarn

H Hook

Yarn Needle

Magic Circle (or ch 3 and join to make circle)
R1: Ch 2 (counts as first sc).  7 sc in center (total of 8 sc). Join with sl st.
R2: Ch 2 (counts as first sc).  1 sc in same st.  2 sc in each st around.  Join with sl st.
R3: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1).  Dc in same st.  *Sk 1 st.  Dc, ch1, dc in next st.*  Repeat to end.  Join with sl st in 3rd ch of ch 4.
R4: Sl st in next sp.  Ch 3.  2 dc in same sp.  3 dc in each space around (3dc cluster).  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.
R5: Sl st in next st (center st of a 3dc cluster).  Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1).  Dc in same st. *Sk 2 st.  Dc, ch 1, dc in next st.*  Repeat to end.  Join with sl st in 3rd ch of ch 4.
R6-R7:  Repeat R4 & R5.
R8:  Ch 2.  Sc in each st.  Do not join.  Tie off and hide ends.

Using blunt yarn needle and long piece of yarn, weave yarn under both loops of sc stitches, beginning with needle going from outside to inside of apple cover on first stitch, then inside to outside on next stitch.  Repeat this all the way around.  Leave a long tail to use to tie up when an apple is inside. 

Back To School: Creamsicle Bookmark Pattern

The orange and white of this bookmark reminds me of a creamsicle!  Yum!  Since summer is coming to a close, it seemed only appropriate to join two of my favorite summer treats: ice cream and reading!  ;)  This works up quickly and can be done in TONS of color combos!

Materials:

2.00 mm steel hook

Size 10 crochet thread

Ribbon - About 1/4 inch thick

Ch 59.

R1: Tc in 5th ch from hook.  *ch 3.  Skip next 3 st.  Tc*  Repeat to last 2 ch's.  Ch 2, join with sl st in 1st ch made.  

R2: Ch 3.  7 dc in same space.  Sl st in next space.  Ch 3.  7 dc in same space.  *1 sc in next space.  8 dc in next space.*  Repeat to end.  Sl st, 8 dc, sl st in end space.  Now work around the other side.  Sl st in next space.  Ch 3.  7 dc in same space.  *1 sc in next space.  8 dc in next space.*  Repeat to end.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  Tie off and hide ends.

Weave ribbon between square spaces running up the middle of the bookmark.  Secure with glue dots or hot glue if desired. 

Flag Rug

Happy Flag Day!  And...  Happy Anniversary to the greatest husband a wife could ask for!

Also, I just want to express my gratitude for everyone who puts up a flag on our anniversary.  It's good to know that the whole country is rooting for us and supports our family and marriage.  Thanks, America!  ;)

Ha ha, but seriously...  Words could never properly convey the love and appreciation I have for my husband.  There is such comfort in being able to be myself with him, 100% of the time.  I can be silly, angry, sad, sappy, tired, cranky, goofy, hyper, happy, or any number of things and I know he will stick with me with every ounce of love he's had for me since the day we were married.  That kind of loyalty is a rare gem. 

In honor of the occasion, I thought about crocheting a gigantic blanket with my husband's face on it... 

Ha ha, no, I really didn't.  ;) 

I actually wanted to honor Flag Day. 

Flag Rug

Materials:  Lion Brand Hometown USA Yarn in Cincinnati Red (2 skeins), New York White (2 skeins), and San Diego Navy (1 skein) - or other Super Bulky Weight Yarn

N Hook

Begin with Red.

Ch 53 (or to desired length).

DC in 4th ch from hook, and each stitch across.  Turn.

Switch to White.

Ch 3.  DC in each stitch across.  Turn.

Switch to Red.

Ch 3.  DC in each stitch across.  Turn.

Continue in a similar fashion, DC'ing across each row, but switching colors between red and white to create the striped effect.  Continue this until you have the desired height of the rug, taking into account the border.

Border:

Use Blue.

Beginning in any corner, attach yarn and chain 3.  4 DC in same corner stitch.  DC in each stitch (make 2 DC in each stitch when working along the sides of the rug, where the stitches are tall).  Make 5 DC stitches in each corner stitch.  Join with sl st to top of ch 3.

I am thinking of embellishing this with a star motif.  If I do (if I have time!) I'll post the pattern for that as well!